Gel-Based Cosmetic and Wound-Healing Formulation and Method

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are gel-based cosmetic and wound-healing formulations, methods for making said formulations, and a method for simultaneously treating and concealing injuries to human skin. In one exemplary embodiment, the cosmetic and wound-healing formulation comprises live yeast cell extract, pigment, and a gel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to compositions applied to the skin forcosmetic and healing purposes.

2. Description of the Related Art

Both cosmetic creams and healing creams are well known. Both of thesetypes of topically applied compositions are frequently made with apetroleum base to deliver pigments and healing factors to the skin.

Cosmetic creams typically include a hydrocarbon base in combination withpigments. Occlusive natural oils and synthetic long-chain hydrocarbonshave been used in construction of modem makeup or foundation bases. Suchoils and hydrocarbons impart sheen, function as binders for the waxycomponents in the formula, and form the bases of the oil phase ofconventional emulsion systems.

Physicians often prescribe to patients wound-healing creams to expeditehealing of wounds and the surrounding skin. Live yeast cell extract(LYCE), Aloe Vera, colostrum and Vitamin E are examples of commonhealing factors. LYCE, which has been variously called Biodynes, SkinRespiratory Factors, and Tissue Respiratory Factors, can be harvestedfrom the nucleus of saccharomyces cerevisiae cells after the yeast hasbeen cultured in an appropriate nutritional media and then stressed byheat, or by UV radiation (˜286 nm), x-rays or chemical injury.Irradiation and especially elevated temperatures produce heat stress, orheat-shock proteins, in all cells (Demple, B. 1998. Signal transduction:a bridge to control. Science 279(5357) 1655). Elevated temperaturecauses cellular proteins to lose their three-dimensional structure, andheat stress proteins are capable of restoring the originalconfiguration. If the cell is then removed and its protoplasmconcentrated, LYCE may be obtained. LYCE can be prepared as an alcoholextract of viable Saccharomyces Lysate. LYCE stimulates wound oxygenconsumption, epitheliazation, and collagen synthesis. In topicalmedicinal preparations, LYCE is characterized and quantified in terms ofSkin Respiratory Factor (SRF) units. A unit of activity is calculated asthe amount of SRF which is required to increase the oxygen uptake of 1mg of dry weight rat abdominal skin by 1 percent at the end of a 1 hourtesting period in a Warburg apparatus.

LYCE-biofactors harvested from saccharomyces cerevisiae containnutrients such as peptides, proteins, amino acids, mineralscarbohydrates, nucleic acid and other gene products. After processing,LYCE-biofactors are clear and sediment-free, retaining the activecomponents without the dark color or odor of the starting material(Fishman, H. M. 2001. Yeast Has Applications In The Cosmetics Industry,HAPPI, July, 42). LYCE biofactors may induce a respiratory response inviable cells, as measured by Warburg Assay, by spectrophotometricabsorbance, or by oxygen electrode measurement of cultured humanfibroblasts (Lods, L., D. Scholz, C. Dres, C. Johnson & G. Brooks. 2000.Peroxide-Inducible Protective Factors Produced by Saccharomycescerevisiae. Cosmet & Toil 115(12) 61-6. Fishman, H. M. 2001. Yeast HasApplications In The Cosmetics Industry, HAPPI, July, 42). Further, whendelivered to the lower strata of the skin, LYCE biofactors stimulateoxygen consumption by viable cells, causing cellular proliferation andcollagen and elastin synthesis.

Temporary cosmetic side effects, such as swelling, bruising, or visiblescars, commonly result from plastic surgery or other injuries to skin.It may take days, weeks, or even months before wounds heal and such sideeffects disappear. Historically, healing creams and cosmetic creams havebeen used independently to heal and disguise skin wounds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a gel-based formulation containingpigments and wound-healing agents, which simultaneously aids in healingskin wounds and concealing damage to the skin.

One aspect of the invention includes a gel-based formulation, including:live yeast cell extract, isododecane, silicon-containing compounds, andmetal-based pigment. In one preferred embodiment of the formulation, thelive yeast cell extract and pigment are suspended in the gel. Thepigments in the formulation are preferably titanium dioxide and ironoxide. Silica, silicone-grafted copolymers, and silicone gelling agentsare the preferred silicone-containing compounds in the formulation. Thegel preferably contains a combination of ethylene, butylene, propylene,and styrene.

Another aspect of the invention includes a method of topically applyinga gel-based formulation to simultaneously heal and disguise wounds onhuman skin.

Another aspect of the invention includes a method of preparing aformulation for topical application. One preferred method involveshomogenizing a gel in a cold process and assimilating a live yeast cellextract and a pigment into the gel during the homogenizing of the gel.The isododecane may be pre-mixed with ethylene, propylene, styrene, andbutylene in a homogenizer. Another preferred embodiment involvescreating a gel using a roller mill and assimilating a live yeast cellextract and a pigment into the gel during the creation of the gel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

One embodiment of the present invention comprises a gel-basedformulation that can be applied topically to the skin. Pigments and LYCEcan be suspended within the gel-based formulation. The LYCE can bepresent in an aqueous state and surrounded by two or more membranelayers of pigmented gel. In one preferred embodiment, the gel containsisododecane, silicon-containing compounds, ethylene/propylene/styreneand ethylene/butylene/styrene based copolymers. Gel, as opposed topetroleum, facilitates oxygenation of the skin and does not clog poresin skin. Thus, the gel-based formulation is particularly well-suited foruse on open wounds. For example, the formulation can be used to promotehealing and to conceal swelling, bruising, or visible scars associatedwith wounds. The formulation is particularly well-suited for use duringthe recovery phase following a surgical procedure.

In one preferred embodiment, isododecane serves as the primary non-waterliquid and solvent for the formation of a unique gel base which, incombination with other moieties, forms a linear polymer meshwork.Isododecane may be combined with other heavier emollients to give abalanced, relatively dry and non-tacky feel.

The gellants themselves are preferably combinations of anethylene/propylene/styrene copolymer and a butylene/ethylene/styrenecopolymer. The ethylene/propylene and butylene/ethylene segments ofthese copolymers dissolve in the hydrocarbon or ester material, whilethe styrene portions do not. The insoluble styrene blocks naturallyassociate with each other via intermolecular forces and become thebuilding blocks for a microscopic three-dimensional network withmolecules of ester, occlusive oils, or other volatile oils enclosedtherein.

The microscopically intertwined polymeric and ester, or oil molecules,provide a stable foundation for fine particles to be incorporated intothe system and to stay suspended. For example, pigments may beincorporated into the formulation and suspended in the gel. Exemplarypigments include, but are not limited to, titanium dioxide, iron oxide,or the like. Because the fine particles are enclosed in the polymericnetwork, agglomeration is minimized and a stable particle suspensionresults. The polymers that are dissolved in the isododecane also form acontinuous film when applied onto the keratin substrate. The volatileisododecane ester replaces the non-volatile oils found in conventionalcosmetic foundations. The ester delivers the polymer and other suspendedcolorants to the substrate, then evaporates off and forms a matrix onthe skin. This matrix is advantageously both water-resistant and rub-offresistant, but is nevertheless gas permeable.

Silicon-containing compounds are preferably included in the formulationand aid in forming the emulsion, improving the texture, and deliveringthe active ingredients of the formulation. In one preferred embodiment,a silicone-grafted copolymer may consist of a principal chain composedof an acrylic polymer and a side chain composed of dimethylpolysiloxane. Such a compound has film-forming properties similar toacrylic polymers along with the lubricity, gas permeability,water-repellency and mold-releasing properties of silicones, whichenables the formation of a soft, water-repellent film that affordsadditional skin protection and further aids in the dispersion of theinorganic powder components of the formula.

In another preferred embodiment, silica can be included in theformulation. Silica can serve as a slip modifier, a moisture barrier, asuspending agent, and an anti-caking agent. In particular, silicadimethyl silyate can be preferably included in the formulation.

In another preferred embodiment, silicone gelling agents improve thestability of other silicone components by means of their film-formingproperties, lubricity, gas permeability, water-repellency andmold-releasing properties. Silicone gelling agents additionally increasethe hydrophilicty of silicones. Hydrophilic groups are preferably addedby introducing polyoxyethylene chains to the polymerization mix. Whilesilicone gelling agents containing hydrophilic groups that arecross-linked can be obtained by adding methyl hydrogen polysiloxane tothe polyoxyethylene diallylether in order to gel silicone “oils,” theydo not allow for the incorporation of other oil-phase materials such asliquid paraffin or ester “oils.” To achieve incorporation of otheroil-phase materials, some of the methyl groups on the polysiloxanebackbone can be preferably replaced with long alkyl chains. Anotheralternative to achieve incorporation of other oil-phase materials is toreact the modified polysiloxane with additional polyoxyethylenediallylether. Both of these methods achieve the desired gelling ofnon-silicone oils and hydrophilicity of a stable water-in-siliconeemulsion in the formation.

The hybrid silicone gelling agents not only gelatinize silicones andother “oils” with low viscosity but also, by absorbing large amounts ofwater into the gel (Nomura, T. & Yokkoji, K., Skuta, K. 1999a. J SocCosmet Chem Japan 33(2) 134-39), preferably form stable emulsions whenthe water phase is added to further enhance physical spreadability ontothe substrate (Nomura, T. & Yokkoji, 1999b. Material Technology 17(8)329-32). At the same time, the hybrid silicone gelling agents ensuresuspension of pigment and other inorganic materials in the second skinmatrix (Ono, I. 2001, Development of New Cosmetic Silicones forFoundation Formulations. Cosmet & Toil 116(3) 61-6), and deliverwater-soluble active ingredients such as LYCE to the keratin substrate.

As discussed above, the gel-based formulation may include isododecane,live yeast cell extract, silicon-containing compounds, and pigment. Inone preferred embodiment, the formulation includes: about 0.1-15 wt. %isododecane; about 0.15-20 wt. % LYCE; about 0.1-3 wt. % silica; andabout 3-12 wt. % pigment.

In preferred embodiments, the formulation can contain a variety ofpreservatives, solvents, binding agents, emulsion stabilizers, filmformers, anti-caking agents, moisturizers, and other ingredientscommonly used in cosmetic and healing creams.

One exemplary formulation may comprise about 55-57 wt. % water, about13-14 wt. % isododecane, about 6-7 wt. % titanium dioxide, about 4-5 wt.% cyclopentasiloxane, about 2-3 wt. % butylene glycol, about 2 wt. %dioctyldodecyl dodecaneodioate, about 2 wt. % silica dimethyl silylate,about 1-1.5 wt. % polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, about 1-1.5 wt. % cetyldimethicone copolyol, about 1-1.5 wt. % hexyl laurate, about 1-1.5 wt. %cyclomethicone, about 1 wt. % nylon-12, about 1 wt. % sodium chloride,about 0.7 wt. % saccharomyces lysate extract, about 0.7 wt. %phenoxyethanol, about 0.6 wt. % ethylene mixed copolymer, about 0.5 wt.% PEG/PPG-20/15 dimethicone, about 0.2-0.3 wt. % quaternium-18hectorite, about 0.25 wt. % yellow iron oxide, about 0.25 wt. % red ironoxide, about 0.25 wt. % black iron oxide, about 0.1-0.2 wt. % methicone,about 0.1-0.2 wt. % methylparaben, about 0.05-0.10 wt. % butylparaben,about 0.05-0.10 wt. % SDA alcohol 40, about 0.05 wt. % ethylparaben, andabout 0.05 wt. % propylparaben. The ingredients in the formulation maybe separate, or they may be pre-combined. For example, the isododecaneand ethylene mixed copolymer may be added separately, or someisododecane may be pre-mixed with some or all of the copolymer.Similarly, materials such as methicone may be added to the formulationin combination with other components of the formulation, such aspigments.

In one preferred embodiment, the formulation is prepared by homogenizinga gel in a cold process. Live yeast cell extract and pigments arepreferably assimilated into the gel during the homogenizing process. Inone preferred embodiment, isododecane is pre-mixed in a homogenizer withethylene/propylene/styrene copolymer and/or ethylene/butylene/styrenecopolymer. In another preferred embodiment, a roller mill can be used inplace of a homogenizer.

One method of preparing the exemplary formulation described abovepreferably involves homogenizing the base gel composition through a coldprocess while assimilating the LYCE and pigments. More specifically, themethod involves first pre-mixing isododecane with ethylene mixedcopolymer in the main tank of a homogenizer. Then cyclopentasiloxane andPEG/PPG-20/15 dimethicone are added and the composition is mixed. Thenpolyglyceryl-4 isostearate, cetyl dimethicone copolyol and hexyl laurateare added, and the composition is mixed. Then cyclomethicone,quaternium-18 hectorite and SDA alcohol 40 are added, and thecomposition is mixed. Then dioctyldodecyl dodecaneodioate is added, andthe composition is mixed. After this addition, the composition is mixedfor about 15 additional minutes. In a separate vessel, nylon-12,titanium dioxide methicone, yellow iron oxide, red iron oxide, blackiron oxide, and silica dimethyl silylate are pre-blended. This mixtureis then added to the main tank of the homogenizer, which is set to propmixing. The new mixture is then blended for about 45 minutes. In aseparate vessel, water and saccharomyces lysate extract are blendeduntil homogeneous. Then butylene glycol is added and the mixture isblended until homogeneous. Then phenoxyethanol, methylparaben,ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben are added, and the mixtureis blended until homogeneous. Then sodium chloride is added and themixture is blended until homogeneous. Finally, this separate mixture isadded to the main vessel of the homogenizer, and the whole mixture isblended for about 15 additional minutes. This exemplary method ofpreparation using commercially available chemical products is summarizedin Table I. In an alternative preferred embodiment, a roller mill,rather than homogenization through a cold process, can be used to createthe formulation.

EXAMPLES

As an example, in one embodiment, a formulation comprises 57.550 wt. %water, 13.300 wt. % isododecane, 6.860 wt. % titanium dioxide, 4.500 wt.% cyclopentasiloxane, 2.500 wt. % butylene glycol, 2.000 wt. %dioctyldodecyl dodecaneodioate, 2.000 wt. % silica dimethyl silylate,1.365 wt. % polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, 1.365 wt. % cetyl dimethiconecopolyol, 1.365 wt. % hexyl laurate, 1.155 wt. % cyclomethicone, 1.000wt. % nylon-12, 1.000 wt. % sodium chloride, 0.700 wt. % saccharomyceslysate extract, 0.700 wt. % phenoxyethanol, 0.600 wt. % ethylene mixedcopolymer, 0.500 wt. % PEG/PPG-20/15 dimethicone, 0.270 wt. %quaternium-18 hectorite, 0.245 wt. % yellow iron oxide, 0.245 wt. % rediron oxide, 0.245 wt. % black iron oxide, 0.160 wt. % methicone, 0.110wt. % methylparaben, 0.090 wt. % butylparaben, 0.075 wt. % SDA alcohol40, 0.050 wt. % ethylparaben, 0.050 wt. % propylparaben.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elementamounts listed above are exemplary only, and that the amount of anyelement or group of elements in the formulation can be varied withinacceptable ranges that are known in the art. In addition, those ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other elements may besubstituted for the elements listed above or that other elements may beadded to the formulation. For example, in the formulation describedabove, the elements comprising the pigment constitute about 8 wt. % ofthe formulation. In other embodiments, the elements comprising thepigment may constitute a greater or lesser wt. % of the formulation. Forexample, in one embodiment, the elements comprising the pigmentconstitute about 12 wt. % of the formulation.

In another exemplary preferred embodiment, the formulation can be madeas a mixture of commercially available chemical products, as summarizedin Table I. TABLE I GEL-BASE MAKE-UP w/LYCE Ingredient Name Mfr./VendorUS INCI (EO INCI) Name % WW A FANCOL ID Fanning/DD Chemco Isododecane10.00 GEL BASE 1 Arch Personal Care Isododecane (and) Ethylene Mixed4.00 Copolymer SF 1528 GE/DD Chemco Cyclopentasiloxane (and) PEG/PPG-5.00 20/15 Dimethicone A_L WE-09 Goldschmidt/Ross Org Polyglycervl-4Isostearate (and) Cetyl 4.00 Dimethicone (Copolyel (and) Hexyl LaurateBENTONE GEL VS-5 Elementis Cyclomethicone (and) Quaternium-18 1.50Hectorite (and) SDA Alcohol 40 LIQUIWAX DIADD Arch Personal CareDiocetyldodecyl Dodecaneodiate 2.00 B ORGASOL 2002 EX Lipo/DD ChemcoNylon-12 1.00 DN AT TIO-SI Cardre Titanium Dioxide (and) Methicone 7.00YELLOW IRON Cardre Iron Oxide (and) Methicone 0.25 OXIDE S12 RED IRONOXIDE Cardre Iron Oxide (and) Methicone 0.25 S12 BLACK IRON Cadre IronOxide (and) Methicone 0.25 OXIDE S12 WACKER HDK H20 Wacker-Chemic SilcaDimethyl Silylate 2.00 C DI WATER Water (Aqua) 55.45 BIODYNES TRF ArchPersonal Care Water (and) Saccharomyces Lysate 2.80 25% Soln. ExtractBUTYLENE Ashland Butylene Glycol 2.50 GLYCOL USP ONIPHEN P-23 Lipo/DDChemco Phenoxyethanol (and) Methylparaben 1.00 (and) Ethylparaben (and)Propylparben (and) Butylparaben CANNERS 999 Open Sodium Chloride 1.00TOTAL 100.00PROCEDURE1 - Using a homogenizer in the main tank, pre-mix FANCOL ID and GEL BASE1 until smooth.2 - When homogeneous, add remaining “A” ingredients in order indicated,mixing well between each addition, and continue to mix for 15 minutes.3 - In a separate vessel, pre-blend “B” ingredients.4 - When well blended, switch main tank agitation to prop mixing, addpre-blend to batch, and continue to mix for 45 minutes.5 - In a separate vessel, pre-blend “C” ingredients in order indicated,mixing well between each addition until homogeneous.6 - When homogeneous, add “C” pre-blend to batch, and continue to mixfor at least 15 minutes.Specifications pH: N/AViscosity: >20,000 cps

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the commerciallyavailable ingredients listed above are exemplary only, and that theelements in the formulation may be obtained using ingredients other thanthose listed above. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the amount of any ingredient or group of ingredientslisted above can be varied depending on the desired concentration ofelements in the formulation.

This gel-based formulation allows the skin to appear undamaged whilesimultaneously delivering the LYCE biofactors to repair skin. The woundhealing factor enhances skin repair by facilitating oxygen utilizationof fibroblasts and metabolic activity, which helps lead to greater andmore rapid collagen and elastin production. The formulation is designedto spread smoothly, to deliver color, maintain gas permeability, andstimulate oxygen consumption at wounds.

The gel-based formulation and methods according to the present inventionhave been disclosed in detail in connection with the preferredembodiments, but these embodiments are disclosed by way of examples onlyand are not to limit the scope of the present invention, which isdefined by the claims that follow. One of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate many variations and modifications within the scope of thisinvention.

1-8. (canceled)
 9. A method of preparing a formulation for topicalapplication comprising: homogenizing a gel in a cold process; andassimilating a live yeast cell extract and a pigment into the gel duringthe homogenizing of the gel.
 10. The method of claim 9, whereinisododecane is pre-mixed in a homogenizer with:ethylene/propylene/styrene copolymer; and/or ethylene/butylenes/styrenecopolymer.
 11. A method of preparing a formulation for topicalapplication comprising: Creating a gel in a roller mill; andassimilating a live yeast cell extract and a pigment into the gel duringthe creation of the gel.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein isododecaneis pre-mixed in a homogenizer with: ethylene/propylene/styrenecopolymer; and/or ethylene/butylenes/styrene copolymer.